A Peaceful Warrior

I don't
know that I coined the phrase "peaceful warrior," but it just popped
into my head while I was trying to think of a good domain name.

It's
actually quite appropriate. Having peace in my life is very important to me -
and sometimes I have to summon forth my "warrior self" in order
maintain that peace. For example, I wouldn't feel peaceful if I passively
accepted the shoddy workmanship and uncaring attitudes that have become all too
common these days.

I think
too many people idly accept bad service and attitudes from the people with whom
they do business, and that's why so many who inflict it think they can (and do!)
get away with it. I think many people feel victimized. They give up too easily,
with the opinion that whatever they do won't make a difference anyway.

On the
contrary, I believe that one person can make a difference. One person
just might inspire another...and that person another...and another. Things will
change only when enough people get to the point that they say, "Hey, I'm
not going to take this any more."

I
believe that it is my moral and ethical responsibility to speak up whenever I
experience injustice or shoddy, uncaring service and do my best to rectify it.
Perhaps my actions will help make a difference so that other people might not experience
the same ill treatment. And maybe my actions will encourage more people
to speak up about the injustices they experience.

When I
summon my "warrior self," it is simply with determination and
persistence, not anger and flailing about. My "warrior self" is
peaceful - and quietly determined. (Well, those who know me might disagree about
the "quietly" part.)

Speaking
of persistence, here is one of my favorite quotes. It's by Calvin Coolidge:

"Nothing
in this world can take the place of persistence;
Talent will not.
Nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent.
Genius will not;
Unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.
Education will not;
The world is full of educated derelicts.
Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.
The slogan 'press on' has solved and always will solve the
problems of the human race."